Rate of penetration and weight recorder



Dec. 8, 1964 o. SUTER ETAL 3,160,464

RATE OF PENETRATION AND WEIGHT RECORDER Original Filed Oct. 7, 1957 5Sheets-Sheet l EIGHT AND PENETRATION INVENTORS 05 wqLp Jar 5e 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 8, 1964 o. SUTER ETAL RATE OF PENETRATION AND WEIGHTRECORDER Original Filed Oct. 7, 1957 Hm/ NO w k w m v %r J 0. o m e A 6E 8 m m a I.. P. N U 0 i. L wwm H W5 T f Jr v 2 4 wmw may 0 3w 5 93 mm mHAN/a1. a mu :N 3m mm EW w w a J Em 8 m: E m m 5 m. w E I. m) k A 1w m Ja w a E U a Iii! E U. 3/

Dec.'8, 1964 o. SUTER ETAL RATE OF PENETRATION AND WEIGHT RECORDER 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Oct. 7, 1957 6w 3 k N600 i N NE ws E w I mw m Iii i In wx Q g Q S wm om sww um um 2 n f WNW sfl m w m N 0 ws mj mun A u m WM a d Dec. 8, 1964 O. SUTER ETAL RATE OF PENETRATION ANDWEIGHT RECORDER Original Filed Oct. 7, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORSGav/420 60752 g; 2 ESEFA/ M 0 5% Dec. 8, 1964 o. SUTER ETAL 3,160,464

RATE OF PENETRATION AND WEIGHT RECORDER Original Filed Oct. 7, 1957 5Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 05444440 507752 BY M055 6/ i514 United StatesPatent 3,160,464 RATE OF PENETRATION AND WEIGHT RECORDER Oswald Suterand Joseph H. De Lacy, Los Angeles, Caiifi, ss g ors to T chnica il ToolCo p ra i n, Ltd-g Angeles, Caiifl, a corporation of California Originalapplication Oct. 7, 19,57, Ser. No. 688,643, new Pa n NO- 3769.65, a edFeb 5, 9 Divided and this application May 1, 1962 Ser. No. 196,026

' 2 Claims. (Cl. 34672) This invention relates generally to a device forrecording the rate of penetration of a well drill and simultaneouslyrecording the weight carried on the drill string. This application is adivisi n of Serial No. 688,643, filed October 7, 1957, now Patent No.3,076,966. By a proper Study and correlation of these two factors, muchvaluable information can be obtained concerning the character of theearth formation being drilled. More specifically the invention relatesto a recording device of this kind which is unusually accurate, durable,and produces a chart that is direct reading and contains positive andnon-confusing indicia thereon.

For recording the rate of penetration of the drill, a measuring line orcable is directly connected between linear measuring means in therecorder and the traveling block of the derrick. For recording theweight .on the drill string a fluid pressure transmitting device isconnected directly to the hoisting cable of the draw works, and coupledto a pressure responsive means in the recorder. The measuring means andthe pressure responsive means in the recorder are each linked with astylus that traces upon a single time advanced chart to thus producesimultaneous records which can be directly correlated.

A most important consideration in a device of this kind is the accuracyof the recorded information and this requires that the device be madedirectly responsive to the drill condition and positively driven toavoid coupling errors, transmission lags, and the like. At the sametime, care must be taken to avoid false readings due to drill vibrationand bounce, mechanical friction losses and other introduced errors.

With the foregoin in mind it is a major object of the invention toprovide a rate of penetration and weight recorder which produces asimultaneous time based record of both of these conditions and providesa high degree of accuracy.

An equally important object of the invention is to provide a rate ofpenetration recorder which produces a single trace record oractuallinear advance .of the drill pipe, indicates the commencement and endingof non drilling activities, and is inactive during interim movement.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a drilling weightrecorder which is positively driven by fluid connection and transmitspressure units into substantially linear movement of a recording styluswithout friction losses.

A further object of the invention is to provide rate of penetratingrecording means which produces indicia showing units of linear advance,separate indicia for groups of units, and ,indicia showing disconnectionof the recording means from the measuring means.

Another object of the invention is to provide penetration recordingmeans having a lost motion connection to avoid false readings due todrill bounce, and means preventing the recording of reverse drillmovement.

It is still another object of the .invention to provide a device of thecharacter described which is of durable construction'and is simple and.foolproof in operation. These and other objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from the following detailed der p ion ofa preferred embodiment thereof, and from an inspection of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the complete recorder;

FIG. 1a is a front elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 1a ofFIG. I;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal medial section through the recorder taken inthe direction 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is a sectional detail taken along the line 2a2a of FIG. 2; i

FIG. 2b is a detail of the declutching cam;

FIG. 3 is a sectional detail of the measuring wheel means taken alongthe line 3..3 of FIGQZ;

PEG. 4 is a front cross section showing the front in- .terior of therecorder;

FIG. 4a is a detail showing the chart drum drive connection; v

FIG. 5 is a sectional detail taken in the area 5 of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are details showing the operation of the rate ofpenetration stylus means and the actuating member;

FIG. 8 is a detail showing the actuating star wheel;

FIG. 9 is a sectional detail along the line "9-9 of F1016;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the straightline follower mechanism;

FIG. 11 is a sectional detailalong the line 11-41 of FIG. 2; 5

FIG. 12 is a front View illustrating the recording chart;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view ofthe stylus arm and holderconstruction;

FIG. 14 is an exploded detail of the stylus and locking holderconnection; i i i FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line 15-15of FIG. 13;-and v i i FIG. 16 is a sectional detail of the linkageconnection taken along the line 1 6 1 6 of FIG. 13.

Referring now to the drawings, therecorder is best seen externally FIGS.1 and la. As is illustrated, the recorder has a box-like case or housing20 which is supported ,on a tubular stand 21 that is suitably secured tothe floor of the drilling rig in a position accessible to the driller.On the back of housing 20 is a measuring wheel means 22 that engageswith a' measuring line or cable 23. The upper end of line 23 leadsupwardly through the derrick and is connected to the traveling block ofthe drill support so that it is directly responsive .to ve rticalmovement of the drill string. The lower end of line 23 passes over apulley 2.4 and thence into a take-up reel 25 mounted on stand 21.Take-up reel 25 is of conventional spring wound design, and serves tomaintain tension on line 23 at all times as it is payed in or out inaccordance with the movement of the drill string.

On the side of housing 20 is a fluid connecting unit including a fitting28 leading internally into the recorder, and a self-closing connector 29which is mounted on the end of a fluid hose or conduit 30. The latterleads to the recorder firorn a pressure transmitting source (not shown)which is connected to the hoisting cable of the draw works. This devicemeasures the tension in the hoisting cable and typically develops a loadagainst a diaphragm to create hydrostatic pressure on the fluid inconduit 39. Corrected for the mechanical advantage of the traveling andcrown blocks, this hydrostatic pressure gives a direct reading of theweight on the drill pipe.

Considering the front of the recorder, a large window 32 is provided inthe upper portion to permit observation of recording chart means mountedtherein. Below window 32 is an operating handle 33 movable between offand on positions by the driller. This single control handle 33 serves todisconnect the measuring wheel means 22 from the internal recordingmechanism, as will hereinafter be described in more detail, and itsfunction is to limit the recording of footage to actual drill advance orpenetration. Thus, in operation handle 33 is kept in an off positionduring all trips in and out of the hole, make up operation, and thelike. When the drill is on bottom and drilling is actually occurring,the handle 33 is moved to the on position so as to record the footagetraveled.

Before considering the interior of the recorder, it is noteworthy topoint out that stand 21 is of unusual con struction and is particularlyadapted to the installation of the recorder on a drilling rig. Stand 21provides a tripod support so that the recorder is always solidlyconnected to the rig floor regardless of the unevenness thereof. At thesame time it provides good lateral stability and the simplicity ofunitary tubular construction. Viewed from one side, stand 21 has a pairof cross legs 35 and 36 which extend vertically and join with front andrear support rails 37 and 38, respectively. At the other end of rails 37and 38, a pair of legs 39 and 4d extend vertically in a V shape to jointogether in a common foot dll. Traced from one end it will be seen thatthis construction may be formed of one continuous length of tubingmerely by bending operations to provide a very rigid and sturdy support.

The layout and internal operating mechanism of the recorder is best seengenerally in FIGS. 2 and 4. Case or housing 29 is a heavy rectangularcasting including a base or bottom Stl, side walls 51, a short frontwall 57., and a somewhat higher rear wall 53. All of the Walls arejoined integrally with each other to form a weather tight enclosure ofdurable construction, which is completed by a hinged upper cover 55 thatcarries window 32. Cover 55 is of domed shape as viewed in longitudinalsection, and is tilted downwardly from back to front when closed, sothat observation through window 32 can be had from a front as well as anupward positon. Hinges 56 connect cover 55 to a forwardly extendingflange 57 formed on rear wall 53 so that the cover may open upwardly foraccess into the housing.

To hold cover 55 in place a latch 66 is mounted on the front edgethereof and engages with a keeper plate 61 mounted at the top of frontwall 52. Latch oil is formed of resilient material and includes a lowerhook end 62 adapted to override and engage with a recessed surface 63formed on keeper plate 51 so as to provide for selflatching uponclosure. In order to release latch 69 a plunger 64 is mounted forsliding movement through wall 52 and plate 61 in a position to engagewith hook end 62. The outer end of plunger 64 carries a release button65 which is urged outwardly by a spring 66. As button as is depressed,hook end 62 is disengaged from surface 63 and permits cover 55 to beraised.

To complete the weather proofing of the enclosure, a resilient O ring 67extends around the lower rim of cover 55 in a groove 68 and is adaptedto deformably engage with the top edge of the housing walls upon closingof the cover. Window 32 conforms to the domed shape of cover 55 and isgasketed tightly therein, so that the working parts of the device arethus fully protected from the mud, grease and other contaminants foundon the drilling rig.

The chart and advancing means are mounted centrally within housing 24?,and since they function cooperatively with both the rate of penetrationand weight recording means are best described first. A single chart '70as is seen in FIG. 12, is used to record both the drilling weight andthe rate of penetration. This chart '76 is preferably an elongated stripof paper marked off longitudinally in uniform increments of time as by acentral scale 71. The chart is moved longitudinally in accordance withthese increments of time as will be described. The length of the chartmay conveniently indicate a 12 hour period of operation, and thus twocharts are used daily to record all of the drilling operations. Acrossthe left hand side of chart 7% is a scale 72 indicating the drillingweight in l thousands of pounds and having longitudinally extendingruled lines indicating units of the weight scale. A typical trace line73 indicating a record of drilling weight is illustrated on chart 7% andwill hereinafter be described in more detail.

Along the right hand side of chart is a space for recording the rate ofpenetration of the drill simultaneously with the weight recording.Transverse ruled lines '74 corresponding to units of time may extendacross this space, and a typical trace record of penetration extendslongitudinally along the space. This record trace consists of a baseline 75 which extends longitudinally and moves laterally to the right atspaced points to provide marks 76 showing each foot of penetration.Somewhat longer marks 77 indicate each five feet of penetration, and ascan be understood the spacing of these marks varies in accordance withthe rate of penetration. This record trace also indicates whether actualdrilling or other operations are occurring, and to this end the baseline 75 is shifted to the left as at 78 whenever the operating handle 33is moved to the off position. During the time the base line is shiftedto the left, no footage marks 76 or 77 are recorded since such markswould not give a true record of footage drilled.

Chart 7% is removably supported on a large chart drum it} which is fixedfor rotation on a transverse shaft 81 extending horizontally across therecorder housing. The circumferential length of drum S0 is such as toreceive chart 7t thereon without the ends overlapping, and the chart maybe conveniently held in place by side flanges 82 formed on the edges ofthe drum. As is best seen in FIG. 4, the shaft 81 has its right hand endjournaled in right side wall 51 and extends across the recorder butterminates somewhat short of the left side. A bracket 83 is secured tothe left recorder wall 51 and extends inwardly to support the left endof shaft 81 and a time controlled advancing means 34. The lattercomprises a conventional spring wound clockwork having a winding stem 85extending through the side of the recorder, and a drive shaft 85extending inwardly in alignment with shaft 85., best shown in FIG. 4a.

Shaft 86 is coupled to drum shaft 81 by rotationally adjustable drivingdogs 37 and 88 as are seen in FIG. 4a. The direction of rotation ofclockwork 84 is such as to cause drum 30 to move upwardly as viewed fromthe front, so that chart 70 is advanced uniformly along the time scale71.

in order to record the drilling weight on chart 70 a; stylus means ismounted in front of drum 80 in general alignment with the left handportion of the chart. Thisstylus means includes an elongated stylus arm90 which is pivotally mounted at the bottom of the recorder housing andhas a free swinging upper end which is adapted to move back and forthacross the face of chart 71?. T116 pivot support for arm 9% as is bestseen in FIG. 2, 11 a pivot shaft 931 journaled by a rear fixed bracket9i mounted on housing bottom 5% and a front plate 93 which is mounted inforwardly spaced relationship to the bracket and may be removablyconnected thereto. As is also seen in FIG. 2, arm 96 extends verticallyupwardly and has a forwardly bent arcuate upper portion which lies closeto the peripheral surface of drum 8!). Arm 90 is preferably formed ofresilient material and is prestressed so that it tends to bearrearwardly against drum 8d and chart 7h.

The top end of arm 96 carries a removable stylus 95 which rides on chart7% to trace the weight record. Stylus 5 is held in place by quickrelease means which. are best described with reference to FIGS. 13through, 15. Mounted on the face of arm 9d adjacent to chart 70. is ashort spring holder plate 96 which has its bottom. end secured to thearm as by rivets 97 and extends up wardly in abutting relationship tothe arm. Arm 9% has; an inverted keyhole slot 28 therein, and plate 96has an upright keyhole slot 99 therein in register with the first slot.That is, the enlarged circular portion of slot. 9?

is at the top with the reduced rectangular portion at the bottom, andslot 9 is vice versa.

Stylus 95 is typically formed as a ball point writing unit having anouter tubular ink supply 102 and an inner writing ball 103 mounted in anose cone 104. Between cone 104 and ink tube 192 is .a head formed withan outer enlarged collar 1%, an inner somewhat smaller collar 1%, and anintermediate neck portion 197 having parallel vertical sides which willfit non-rotatably in the rectangular portion of the keyhole slot 98 andis of the same length as the thickness of arm fill. The smaller collar1% is of a size which just fits through the circular portions of slots98 and 99, and collar 105 will not pass through either of the slots.

To mount stylus 95 in place, nose cone 104 and collar 106 are passedthrough the circular portion of slot 98. Nose cone ltld passes throughthe rectangular portion of slot 99 but collar 1% will not passtherethrough so it resiliently forces plate 96 away from arm 90. Whencollar ltlS comes into abutment with the surface of arm 98, neck portion107 is in alignment with the rectangular portion of slot 98 and maybemoved upwardly therein. As this occurs, collar 1% comes into alignmentwith the circular portion of slot 99 and plate 96 springs back intoabutting relationship with arm 99. The stylus '95 is then held rigidlyin place and cannot move in any direction.

Pivotal movement of arm 9t) in accordance with the drilling weight iscaused by a pressure actuated unit 110 which is mounted near the bottomof the recorder housing on the left hand wall 51 as seen in FIG. 4. Aswill be remembered a fluid fitting 28 connected to a fluid hose 34) ismounted on the side of the recorder for external connection to apressure transmitting source, and the fluid. therein communicates intoactuator unit 110. At this point, the fluid pressure is transformed intolinear movement of a piston-like follower 111 which is mounted forhorizontal reciprocation within a cylinder 112.

As is best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, cylinder 112 has its outer end closedby an end cover 113 which is secured to recorder wall 51, and an innerend wall 114 which is substantially closed except for a central aperture115. Follower 111 consists of a cylindrical plug or block fitting inspaced relationship to the wall of cylinder 112 and rotatably carries onits inner end a flanged disc 117 which engages against one end of abalance spring 118. The other end of spring 118 engages against end Wall114 and thus tends to drive follower 1-11 to the left as viewed in FIGS.4 and 5.

In order that follower 111 may cant slightly relative to spring disc 117and be rotatable relative thereto, a

follower pin 1% having a rounded head is seated rockably within a socketformed in the disc. The other end of pin 12G rides on a ball 1Z1 seatedwithin a central bore 122 of the follower and holds disc 11-? slightlyspaced from the end of the follower.

Spring 1113 is designed to have a uniform linear rate and balances fluidpressure exerted against the opposite end of follower 111. Thus theamount of linear movement of the follower 111 will represent units ofpressure if friction losses are disregarded. -While follower 111 mightbe mounted in cylinder 112 to function as a piston opposed by fluidpressure, it has been found that such an arrangement has so muchfriction as to destroy the accuracy of the record. Therefore, follower11 1 is indirectly exposed to fluid pressure by means of an intermediatediaphragm means 124 which is fitted within cylinder 112 in such a manneras to avoid sliding friction.

As is best seen in FIG. 5 the diaphragm means 124 takes the form of aflexible resilent bellows having a central cup portion 125 surroundingthe outer end of follower 111 and thence turned outwardly and back uponitself to form an outer peripheral wall portion 125 which fits closelywith the wall of cylinder 112 and extends therealong to a terminalsecuring lip 127. The central portion of cover 113 extends withincylinder 112 to form a boss 128 having the inner end thereof flangedout- 6 wardly to grip securing lip 127 and thus holds the bellowstightly in place.

As fluid pressure is transmitted through fitting 28 and plug 128 itenters bellows 124 and acts against the bottom of cup portion tending tomove follower 111 to the right and distort the side wall of the cup sothat more of it is folded back along the outer wall portion 126. Theonly frictional resistance to this movement is the internal resistanceof the bellows 124 to deformation, and since this can be made veryslight, the follower 111 moves uniformly without any appreciablefrictional resistance.

Follower 111 is connected to the stylus arm 90 by a linkage whichcomprises a plunger 132 connected to follower disc 117 and extending outthrough end aperture 115. The opposite end of plunger 132 is adjustablyconnected to a clevis 133 which is pivotally connected to .arm 9t? by apin 134. It will be appreciated, that follower 111 must be constrainedto linear movement in order to avoid lateral friction on bellows 124,and that the movement of clevis 133 and connecting pin 134 traces an arcabout the stylus arm pivot shaft 91. In order to accommodate these twomotions, a universal joint connection between follower disc 117 andplunger 132 is employed. This connection takes the form of a connectingpin 136 secured to disc 117 and having a spherical balled end 137mounted within a plunger socket 138. The end of plunger 132 is formedinwardly to hold ball 137 in place, and a spring 139 holds the balloutwardly and resiliently in place.

As will be remembered, the fluid pressure within line 31) gives a directreading of the drilling weight when a proper connection for themechanical advantage of the hoisting equipment is made. There arecurrently two popular mechanical advantage systemsin use in the drillingindustry, and .in order that the recorder may be used to give directweight readings with either of these systems or those which maysubsequently be employed, provision is made for adjustment or" theposition of actuating linkage relative to the stylus arm 96. Thisrequires vertically shifting the position of clevis 133 relative to arm90 and consequently necessitates a vertical shift in the position of thepressure actuating unit 1-10.

Clovis 133 is moved relative to arm 90 by shifting the position of pin134 along an elongated slot 142 formed in the arm. The clevis is thenheld in the desired position by means of adjusting holes 14-3 formed ina back plate 144 secured on arm 90 as is best seen in the details ofFIGS. 13 and 16. In order that this adjustment may be easily made aquick connection employing a spring latch plate 145 is used to hold pin1-34 in place. Latch plate 145 is mounted on the front of clevis 133 andhas a bowed central depressible portion and a free end portion whichoverlies the pin receiving holes in the clevis. An elongated slot 146 isformed in plate 145 having an enlarged opening towards the fixed end anda reduced opening at the opposite end which engages tightly with a pingroove 147. To place pin 134 in position the bowed portion of plate 145is depressed so that the pin may pass through the enlarged end of slot145. As plate 145 is released it moves the slot 146 back to its normalposition and engages with groove 147.

Vertical adjustment of pressure unit 110 is accomplished by moving endcover plate 113 relative to recorder wall 51 through adjustment ofholding screws 148 relative to elongated upper and lowerslots 149 formedin the cover. It will be noted that unit 1 10 is formed as a unitarystructure with cylinder 112 and inner end wall 114 secured to the outerend cover by means of a plurality of external elongated studs 150. Thusadjustment of outer cover plate 113 properly positions the entireassembly.

In operation, the lluid pressure entering unit 110 is The consequentweight. Since chart 76 is constantly moving at a time controlled rate,the stylus 15 traces a continuous record of the drilling weight on thechart, such a typical trace having previous.y been indicated as thetrace 73.

Simultaneously with the weight recording, a record of the rate ofpenetration is being made as will now be described in detail. It will beremembered that the measuring wheel means 22 is moved in response to thlinear movement of the drill string by the measuring line 23. In orderto have a sufficient area of contact between the measuring wheel and theline so as to avoid slippage, it has been the practice to wrap themeasuring line around the measuring wheel in at least a complete turn of360 and sometimes several turns. The result is that the measuring lineoverlaps upon itself and there is constant rubbing friction between thedifferent sections of the line.

The preferred form of measuring wheel means 2?. used herein avoids theproblem of line friction and at the same time provides a totalperipheral area of line contact in excess of the equivalent of 360 ofthe measuring wheel circumference by the use of a pair of coupled upperand lower measuring wheels 154- and 155, respectively, as are best seenin FIGS. 2 and 3. These wheels 154 and 155 are mounted on the back ofhousing wall 53 in vertically spaced relationship and may be enclosedwithin a protective cover 156. At the left hand side of cover 156 (FIG.3) is a central upwardly faced opening 157 and on the opposite side is adownwardly faced central opening 158.

The upper portion of line 23 leads downwardly through opening 157 and iswrapped around the lower periphery of measuring wheel 155. Line 23 isthen crossed over to the other side, is wrapped around the upperperipheral portion of wheel 154, and passes out of cover 156 throughopening 158. It will be seen that line 23 thus engages with more thanhalf the peripheral extent of each wheel 154 and 155 to provide a totalperipheral extent of contact considerably in excess of the equivalent of360 of the measuring wheel circumference. At the same time line 23 isnever crossed back upon itself at any point.

Wheels 154 and 155 are mounted for rotation with short stub shafts 15%and 161), respectively, which are suitably journaled in bearings 161mounted in wall 53. Aiiixed to the rear ends of shafts 159 and 1611 aremeshed gears 162 and 163, respectively, so that the measuring wheels arethus locked for rotation together and no relative slippage can occur.The circumferential length of each of wheels 154 and 155 is exactly onefoot, and upon each foot of linear advance of the drill string, onecommon revolution of shafts 159 and 169 takes place. As the drill stringadvances one foot, line 23 moves upwardly, and lower shaft res thrusrevolves in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3.

Extending coaxially with lower shaft 16% is a main drive shaft res whichhas its forward end journaled in a bearing 16"! mounted in front housingWall 52, and its rear end journaled in a bearing 168 mounted on thefront face of gear 163. Drive shaft 166 may rotate independently ofshaft 160 and is adapted to be connected thereto by clutch means mountedbetween the two shafts.

ecured to the front face of gear 163 is an annular clutch plate 171)which is adapted to engage with a clutch plate 171 fixed for rotationwith shaft 166 but slidably mounted thereon. The forward end of plate171 is formed integrally with a neck portion 172 which is terminated byan enlarged collar 173. A coil spring 174 is positioned in front ofcollar 173 by a stop 175 and tends to urge the collar and plate 171rearwardly into an engaged position.

The movements of clutch plate 171 are controlled by the previouslymentioned operating handle 33 on the front of the recorder. Handle 33 isconnected on the end of an elongated control rod 1% by a short lever arm181. This rod 189 extends longitudinally through the bottom portion ofthe recorder and is rotatably journaled in the front and back walls 52and 53. As handle 33 is moved between the on and off positions, rod 1%is rotated angularly in a clockwise direction as viewed from the front.T 0 hold handle 33 in the selected position it may be spring loadedrearwardly, and carries a rearwardly extending pin 336i which engages indetents 182 or 183 formed in a control plate 174 secured to housing wall52.

Aflixed on rod 1% below clutch plate collar 173 is a cam 18% which, asis seen in PEG. 21;, has a cam rise 137 on the rear face thereof. As rod189 is rotated, cam rise 137 engages with and moves the end of a crank188 rearwardly. This crank 1% is centrally pivoted on a shaft 189 andthe upper end of the crank rides in the clutch neck 172 bearing againstcollar 173. Movement of earn 1% thus causes collar 173 to be movedforwardly so as to disengage clutch plate 171 from plate 170. Whendrilling is actually occurring, control handle 33 is in the On positionand the clutch plates 17th and 171 are engaged. Thus main shaft 166rotates continuously with measuring wheel shaft Mil.

In order to count the number of feet drilled a conventional countermechanism 192 is mounted near recorder window 32 on a bracket 1%extended forwardly from flange 57. Counter 192 is driven from main shaft166 by a sprocket 194 mounted adjacent collar 173 and engaged with adrive chain 195. Since shaft 166 is only rotated during actual drilling,the counter 19% records only the number of feet of drill penetration andshould at all times indicate the depth of the drill.

The record of the rate of penetration is made on chart 71 by a stylus acarried at the upper end of a stylus arm 2011. Stylus 95a is removablymounted on stylus arm 2% by exactly the same type of holding means ashave previously been described for stylus 95, and this description neednot be repeated. As is best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the upper portion ofarm 2% extends vertically and is joined to an angular lower portionwhich is mounted on a rock shaft 2191 that extends horizontally near thefront and right hand side of the recorder. As arm 204) swings about theaxis of shaft 261 the upper end carrying stylus 95a moves in an angularpath, indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6, and causes a mark to be made onchart 7%. This angular motion of arm 21H is made to occur once upon eachrevolution of main shaft 166 by an actuating means as will subsequentlybe described in detail. The mark which is made on chart 70 is thepreviously mentioned mark 76 that indicates that the drill has advancedone foot.

Each time that the drill has advanced five feet, arm 200 is movedangularly a slightly greater distance than for the individual footmarks, and the previously mentioned five foot mark 77 is made. Betweenthe times when the angular motion of arm 201 is caused to occur the armis stationary and stylus 95a traces a longitudinal line on the movingchart "Ill which is the base line '75.

Angular movement of arm 2% about the axis of shaft 2111 is caused by anactuating member 2G2 which has the form of a five pointed star wheelseen in detail in FIG. 8. Four of the points of star 2112 indicated at203 are of the same radial length, and the fifth point 264 is somewhatlonger. Engagement of any of the points 2% with a striker arm 2%extended from arm 2% causes angular movement of the latter to trace afoot mark 76. Engagement of point 264 with arm 2% causes angularmovement to produce the five foot mark 77. It can thus be seen that thedesired movement of star wheel 2132 is in a path such that one of thepoints 203 engages striker arm 206 upon each revolution of main shaftres, and upon the fifth revolution of the shaft the point 2M- engagesthe striker arm.

This desired movement of star wheel 2112 is created by planetary gearmeans mounted on the forward end of shaft 1%. Briefly, star wheel 2112is mounted on a planet gear of this system and is moved in a revolvingpath about the axis of shaft 166. On each revolution it engages oncewith striker arm 206. At the same time star wheel 202 is rotated aboutits own axis by the planet gear so that the star points 203 and 204change positions stepby-step, any one point rotating in eifect through360 upon Vs of a revolution of shaft 166. Thus upon four effectiverevolutions of the star wheel 202 the points 203 successively engage arm206, and upon the fifth revolution the point 204 engages the arm.

As is best seen in FIG. 2, the forward end of shaft 166 has afiixedthereon a circular drive member 210. Rotatably mounted on shaft 166adjacent to drive member 210 is a carrier 211 which is engaged to thedrive member through a pin 212 extended from the carrier. As is seen inFIG. 4, drive member 210 has a semi-circular portion of one diameter anda remaining portion of reduced diameter joined to the former by radialshoulders. Pin 212 rides on the edge of the portion of reduced diameterand is adapted to drivingly engage with either of the radial shouldersto cause rotation of carrier 211 in accordance with the movement ofshaft 166.

This arrangement constitutes a lost motion connection which allows forlimited reverse movement of drive shaft 166 without reversing themovement of carrier 211. It is particularly advantageous underconditions wherein the drill string has a tendency to vibrate or bouncedue to hard rock formation or similar problems. By its use false motionsof stylus arm 200 through oscillating movement of star 202 is avoided.

Carrier 211 extends diametrically across the axis of shaft 166 andcarries on one side a planet gear 216 and on the opposite side acounterweight 217, as is best seen in FIG. 2a. Planet gear 216 isrotatably mounted on a shaft 218 secured to the carrier 211 and ispositively connected to star wheel 202 so that the gear and star alwaysrotate and revolve together.

Mounted for engagement with planet gear 216 is a central stationary sungear 220 which is supported in position by a back plate 221 spacedrearwardly from wall 52 by a plurality of studs 222. The center of sungear 220 is bored to allow a hub of carrier 21 1 to extend rotatablytherethrough, but the sun gear itself never rotates once it has beenproperly adjusted. Sun gear 220 is held on plate 221 by screws 223, andas is seen is FIG. 11, these screws pass through circumferentiallyelongated slots 224 formed in the plate to allow some angular adjustmentof the position of the sun gear for proper timing of planet gear 216.

The orbital movement, sometimes referred to herein as the planetation,of planet gear 216 about sun gear 220 is in the path shown by the arrowof FIG. 6. Planet gear 216 is, of course, forced to revolve around sungear 220 by its position on carrier 211, and the relative number ofteeth on the two gears are such that upon each revolution of carrier211, the planet gear is caused to rotate one and one fifth effectiveturns about its own axis. This results in the next successive point ofstar 202 being brought into position to actuate striker arm 206 on eachcomplete revolution of carrier 211.

As star wheel 202 revelves with gear 216 the points 203 or 204 adjacentto striker arm 206 moves upwardly past the arm, and lifts it and thestylus arm 200 in the desired angular movement. Upon each fifthrevolution point 204 will be in the adjacent position to arm 206 andwill cause the longer angular movement as has been previously discussed.

On some occasions, the driller may accidentally lift the drill pipe andfail to move operating handle 33 to the off position. This causes driveshaft 166 to move in a reverse direction and star 202 to revolve in areverse direction as is shown in FIG. 7. In order to avoid angularmovement of stylus arm 200 under this condition, striker arm 206 isresiliently mounted thereon so that it may be moved by star 202 withoutany movement of the stylus arm. To this end, striker arm 206 is mountedon a block 230 which is pivotally secured to arm 200 by a pin mark 78a.

10 231. Arm 206 may be adjustable lengthwise relative to block 230 bymeans of an adjusting screw 232.

As is best seen in FIG. 9, block 230 is normally resiliently heldupwardly against a stop pin 234 by a spring 235 which is extendedbetween the stop pin and a securing lug 236 on the block. Stop pin 234is fixedly mounted on arm 200 and thus upon normal upward movement ofarm 206, arm 200 is moved with it in angular motion. When striker arm206 is moved downwardly by star 202, spring 235 yields and allows thestart to pass without any movement of arm 200.

It will be remembered from the earlier discussion that it is desirableto move stylus arm 200 relative to chart 7'0 so as to shift base line 75whenever the operating handle 33 is moved to the off position. In orderthat this shift will be clearly readable on chart 70, base line 75 isshifted to the left as seen in FIG. 12 to the base line 78. It is alsodesirable that the trace line made by stylus a in shifting between thebase lines 75 and 78 be a straight line preferably extendinghorizontally as is indicated by the short trace mark 78a shown in FIG.12. Since it is straight and extends horizontally, the mark 78:: may beaccurately fixed with relationship to the time scale 71 as might nototherwise be the case. It might also be noted that there is nodifficulty in reading marks 76 and 77 against the time scale 71 sincethe point of intersection of these marks with base line 75 indicates theexact time of occurrence.

To move stylus arm 200 so as to make the mark 73a and trace line 78, anoperating lever arm 240 is mounted on control rod and is pivotedtherewith by movement of operating handle 33. The upper end of lever arm240 bears against a pin 241 secured on a follower arm 242 which ismounted on rock shaft 201. Both follower arm 242 and arm 200 are fixedfor rotation with shaft 201 and the latter is rotatably journaled aswill subsequently be described. Thus arm 200 and arm 242 move as asingle member, and are both normally held downwardly by a spring 243which is tensioned between arm 242 and a lower support post 244.

When lever arm 240 is moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 by controlrod 180, pin 241 is forced to the right, as is follower arm 242. Theexact path of this movement is such as to cause the upper end of arm 200to move in a straight line to the left so as to record the This isaccomplished by a linkage which causes rock shaft 201 to move upwardlywhile follower arm 242 is guided by a guide block 246.

Rock shaft 201 is rotatably mounted in the lower end of an upwardlyextending pivot link 250 which is pivotally mounted at the top on afixed pivot 251. Thus upon movement of follower pin 241 to the right,rock shaft 201 swings upwardly about the axis of pivot 251. At the sametime follower arm 242 is guided by a guide pin 252 riding upon theupwardly angled top surface of guide block 246.

The path of movement of these various members to accomplish this motionis best seen by reference to the diagrammatic view of FIG. 10 whereineach of the cornponent movements is indicated. In order that there maybe some shift in the direction in which mark 78:! extends, guide block246 is mounted for angular adjustment by means of a fixed securing bolt254 and a second securing bolt 255 riding in an elongated slot 256.Guide pin 252 may be threadedly adjustable relative arm 242 and is heldin position by a lock screw 257.

Having thus described the mechanism for shifting the base line of therate of penetration record it is seen that the complete record has beendescribed. Viewed as an entirety it should be noted that the footagemarks vary in their spacing along the time scale. A concentration ofclosely spaced footage marks indicates slow drilling and informs thedriller of a hard formation or a dull bit. At the same time, the weightrecord swings back and forth and by proper correlation of these tworecords much valuable information can be gained.

areonea While we have thus described in considerable detail a preferredembodiment of the invention it is to be understood that modifications ofdesign and construction can be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention. Therefore, we do not wish to be restricted except as isdefined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a drilling weight recorder: chart means including a removablechart; time clock means connected to avance said chart at a uniform ratelengthwise of said chart; fluid pressure responsive means in saidrecorder adapted to be connected to a fluid pressure transmitting sourceinterposed in the drill block suppont, said pressure responsive meansincluding a cylinder having a cup-like pressure sensitive bellowstherein, and a bellows follower confined to linear movement in saidcylinder; a stylus arm pivotally mounted for movement laterally acrossand perpendicularly of said chart and having longtudinally spacedconnecting linkage points thereon; and linkage means interconnecting aselected one of said linkage points of said stylus arm and said bellowsfollower, said linkage means including a universal joint whichaccommodates the linear motion of said bellows follower to the resultantpivotal and perpendicular movement of said stylus arm and permittingsaid connecting linkage to be moved for connection to any one of saidlinkage points.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and quick disconnect means forshifting the point of connection of said linkage means to any one ofsaid linkage points of said stylus arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS603,391 Wolfe May 3, 1908 946,304 Zander Jan. 11, 1910 1,145,884- FishJuly 13, 1915 1,375,761 Rittenour Apr. 26, 1921 2,829,942 Bedell Apr. 8,1958

1. IN A DRILLING WEIGHT RECORDER: CHART MEANS INCLUDING A REMOVABLE CHART; TIME CLOCK MEANS CONNECTED TO ADVANCE SAID CHART AT A UNIFORM RATE LENGTHWISE OF SAID CHART; FLUID PRESSURE RESPONSIVE MEANS IN SAID RECORDER ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A FLUID PRESSURE TRANSMITTING SOURCE INTERPOSED IN THE DRILL BLOCK SUPPORT, SAID PRESSURE RESPONSIVE MEANS INCLUDING A CYLINDER HAVING A CUP-LIKE PRESSURE SENSITIVE BELLOWS THEREIN, AND A BELLOWS FOLLOWER CONFINED TO LINEAR MOVEMENT IN SAID CYLINDER; A STYLUS ARM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT LATERALLY ACROSS AND PERPENDICULARLY OF SAID CHART AND HAVING LONGTUDINALLY SPACED CONNECTING LINKAGE POINTS THEREON; AND LINKAGE MEANS INTERCONNECTING A SELECTED ONE OF SAID LINKAGE POINTS OF SAID STYLUS ARM AND SAID BELLOWS FOLLOWER, SAID LINKAGE MEANS INCLUDING A UNIVERSAL JOINT WHICH ACCOM- 